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Archiver > RHEA > 1999-12 > 0944076979
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Subject: [RHEA-L] Re: RHEA-D Digest V99 #221
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 14:36:19 EST
In a message dated 12/1/99 2:28:51 AM, writes:
>From:
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>Subject: [RHEA-L] Re: Rheas in Washington County 1890's
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>Does anyone l know who any of these people were? I have a Joe Rhea who
>was
>in Torreon Mexico in 1899. In a letter to his "Aunt Lucy" McMullen Rhea
>
>(wife of Walker Rhea of Rhea's Mill) he talks about Billy, Clarence, Louie,
>
>V. Fred and the Vaughn sisters. He talks about his Mother, but doesn't
>name
>her. These folks are on the fringes of the William H. Rhea (1825-1884)
>
>family of Rhea's Mill AR in the late 1800's. I have some original documents
>
>and some pictures I need to identify. If any of these names are familiar,
>
>please contact me. Any help at all would be appreciated.
>
>B. Rhea
>
></XMP>
This family is descended from Pleasant Vincent Rhea born circa 1803, Lincoln
Co., TN, died circa 1864, Washington Co., AR. Pleasant was the son of John
and Sally Rhea of Lincoln Co., TN. He married Frances Ballentine White circa
1823 in Lincoln Co., TN, they moved to Washington Co., AR about 1830.
the following is from my notes:
>From Goodspeed's 1889 History of Washington County/pg. 1009-1010:
Pleasant V. Rhea (deceased), one of the early settlers of this county, was
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., grew to manhood there, and there married Miss
Fannie B. White. They moved to Washington County, Arkansas in 1830 and here
Mr. Rhea followed the occupation of a blacksmith, and also taught school,
taking his pay in corn, pumpkins, etc. His family consisted of seven
children, three sons and four daughters. He was a member of the Baptist
Church and died at the age of 61 years. The mother is also a member of the
same church, and is now living at the advanced age of 88 years. Their eldest
son, William H., was born in Lincoln Co., TN in 1825, and came with his
parents to Washington County, Ark., where he learned the blacksmith trade.
At the age of 24 he opened a little grocery in Maysville, Benton Co., Ark,
and after running that a short time he came to Cincinnati, and bought a stock
of goods. Being a shrewd business man he gradually arose until at the time
of his death, he owned three stores, a mill and several farms, amounting in
all to about $75,000. He was a public-spirited man, and was ever ready to
contribute to worthy enterprises. He was a Democrat in his political views,
and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Miss Elizabeth C. Powell,
daughter of Dr. Samuel Powell, and a native of East Tennessee. This union
resulted in the birth of eight children, four sons and four daughters. He
died in 1884, but she is still living. Their fifth child, Robert J., is one
of the most extensive merchants of Cincinnati. He was born at Rhea's Mills
October 15, 1862, and was reared chiefly in the store. He had good
educational advantages and at the age of 14 he commenced clerking in his
father's store, and has handled goods ever since that time. After the death
of his father he purchased his present store, and has the largest stock of
goods in the county outside Fayetteville. In 1886 he married Miss Myrtie,
daughter of Charles McClellan, and a native of Washington County, Arkansas,
born NOvember 5, 1868. To this union one son, William H., has been born.
Mr. Rhea is devoted to his business and is accounted a wide-awake business
man. He is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the I.O.O.F., and his wife
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
P. V. Rhea witnessed a deed record Benton Co., Arkansas, Book A page 262, 7
October 1842
had three sons and four daughters
Member of the Baptist Church
Old Burial Ground across from Rhea Cemetery, P. V. Rhea 1803-1864
First mayor of Fayetteville
I have more information on this family if anyone needs it, but I am in the
middle of finals so won't be able to do much until next week.
Denise Fischer
Santa Clara
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